rosewood
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Now I found out another reason why her preparation is slower than usual. She changed her blades from pattern 99 to Kozuka's one-plate blades. Wish this move is OK but who knows.
Pattern99 Revolution http://www.johnwilsonskates.com/products/pattern-99-rev
Mao's current blades http://www.jiji.com/news/photos/photo_news/images/658/0022479066.jpg
Until THE ICE 2016 she used Revolution blades. So it's a recent change. Mao never let us stay relaxed! Very Mao-pace.
Yeah. When I read Kozuka's article two years ago, he said he was bothered by sideways slide. At this point I'm not sure his team could have solved the problem. But I guess the blades improved to some extent during these two years since Mr Sato didn't allow her to use it at first but he did this time. You know they're from Nagoya the Toyota's home town. There are lots of people who have deep knowledge of dealing with metals. Their challenge is interesting anyways.Thanks for the info! It seems the blades work well so far, Mao's jumps don't seem to have become unstable. It will be interesting to see another elite skater try them out; Takahiko was using them in his last season, IIRC, but it was difficult to guess how well they worked for him, because he was bothered by his injury. Seeing how popular the Edea boots have become due to their decreased weight, a lighter pair of blades could become very popular as well.
After Wednesday's practice session, Asada said that even though the triple axel is important, she feels she doesn't need to do it at this competition.
Instead, the three-time world champion was eager to talk about her new programs. Interestingly, Asada's short program and free skate have the same music, "Ritual Fire Dance" played by Arthur Rubinstein. This unusual decision was made after a conversation with her choreographer, Lori Nichol.
"In the short program, my costume is black, and I express a black swan that turns into a mysterious lady with magical power, a witch. In the long program, that mysterious lady does a passionate dance, very intense and feminine, wearing a red costume," the 26-year-old Asada said. "I want to express a mature lady, something that I couldn't do in the past and what the younger skaters cannot do."
I think maybe her strategy here was to skate clean and she did. I remember what a rocky fall she had last season after starting strong at the Japan Open, when she was determined to go for everything. The strategy paid off since she is in striking distance of a gold medal, without even her full arsenal. Plenty of skaters scale down at the beginning and build over the season. Heck, Mao being Mao, we may see her throw everything in in the free. I didnt see anything to worry about at all. Except maybe the costume. It's too similar to her 2014 Olympic free dress. Now that I see her program, i would rather see her in something more stark and simple. But that's small potatoes.This wasn't a strong performance for Mao. I would have thought that she would have went for a 3/3 since she's not planning an Axel. I like the programs concept but it doesn't flow so well. Maybe my mind will be changed when I see her live in a couple weeks.
I'm wishing her a great season though. I get the impression her confidence is still not high.
Japan's Mao Asada, sitting in second place, showed a clean program as well. Her jump content was the "light version" she often uses early in the season: double axel, triple flip-double loop combination and a solo triple loop.
"It's not my best, but I did what I wanted to do, and I'm satisfied," Asada said. "In the future, I will do more difficult jumps in my programs. This was just a good start for the season."
As she did in the short, Asada will skate to music from the Manuel de Falla ballet El amor brujo in the free skate.
I liked the program. But even if one didn't, you can see that she skates to the music and uses the choreography effectively to deliver the mood of the piece. I could not say the same for her competitors.
It was December 1999. Asada was nine years old.
- I got a medal from Santa Claus. I have only good memories from Finland.
Since then, Asada has charmed audiences slightly larger arenas. Japanese figure skating superstar is triple the type of world champion, Olympic silver medalist.
- Tampere, Santa Claus remember addition Kiira Korpi . She competed in the same category two years older big sister Main with Asada smiles.
photos:The second time Asada visited Finland in late 2004. Although he was only 14 years of age, the type of crowd roared already when puny Japanese.
Asada won the Junior GP Finals and astounded, above all exertion kolmoisaxelin, which only few women have reached the month there on the day.
https://twitter.com/insideskating/status/784283659503185920Capturing the beauty of the moment - a few more shots from #MaoAsada's ritual dance at #FinTrophy16. Full story to follow. #ManueldeFalla
A program just like an Art Nouveau jewel: #MaoAsada at #FinTrophy16. More photos to come soon on http://www.insideskating.net. #ManueldeFalla
https://twitter.com/3flip3loop/status/784143724519522304Tonight at #FinTrophy16 Mao Asada was so much more than just scores. #浅田真央
Your leader after the ladies short program at #FinTrophy16, Anna Pogorilaya.
But let's be honest, we came to see her. Mao Asada during ladies SP warm-up at #FinTrophy16. #浅田真央
https://twitter.com/eelinpaas/status/784277809996832768There is no place like ice rink. Let's start a new season! #MaoAsada #Mao #FT2016 #FinlandiaTrophy #fintrophy2016 @SkatingFinland
Judge #6 should be fired and never allowed to judge figure skating again. Ever again. They should be shamed and kicked out of figure skating permanently.
If you're reading this you should be ashamed of yourself and your lack of knowledge in this sport, you don't ever give a skater of Mao's quality 6's even if she totally ****s up. That's the most bogus PCS scoring for Mao that I've ever seen and it needs to be stopped.
Other than that really pissing me off, I felt it was a bit flat but agree that part of it is because of the musical arrangement. She's still very polished and clean, and I really love the step sequence.
Judge #6 should be fired and never allowed to judge figure skating again. Ever again. They should be shamed and kicked out of figure skating permanently.
If you're reading this you should be ashamed of yourself and your lack of knowledge in this sport, you don't ever give a skater of Mao's quality 6's even if she totally ****s up. That's the most bogus PCS scoring for Mao that I've ever seen and it needs to be stopped.
Other than that really pissing me off, I felt it was a bit flat but agree that part of it is because of the musical arrangement. She's still very polished and clean, and I really love the step sequence.
And 5.75 in transitions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My God.Judge #6 did it again today in the free skate, giving her mostly 6's in PCS.